Chapter 7

The Maybach pulled up to a heavily guarded luxury building on the Upper East Side. The doorman rushed out, taking their luggage with a respectful nod.

Haylee and Leo stepped into the private elevator. The doors opened directly into a sprawling, glass-walled penthouse. The Manhattan skyline stretched out below them, a sea of glittering lights.

The apartment was immaculate. On the marble coffee table sat a vase of fresh white roses and a handwritten card.

Haylee picked it up. Welcome home, sis. Everything is set.

The sharp, aggressive tension in Haylee's shoulders finally dropped. A genuine smile touched her lips. John's handwriting was a lifeline.

Leo dropped his backpack and ran toward the hallway. He found his room-a massive space outfitted with high-end servers, multiple monitors, and a custom gaming chair. He let out a happy shout.

Haylee walked into the master suite. She tossed her blazer onto the bed and went straight to the bathroom. She turned on the cold water and splashed it over her face, washing away the lingering smell of the Aethelred office.

She looked in the mirror. The anger from the stolen ring burned hot in her chest.

She walked out and pulled a heavily encrypted satellite phone from her bag. She dialed John Slater's private number.

"How was day one?" John's deep, steady voice came through the speaker.

"I crushed Cynthia at the airport," Haylee said, pacing the hardwood floor. "But there's a problem. Kaylie Holder is wearing the ring. She stole it on the flight."

The line went dead silent. When John spoke again, his voice was lethal. "I'll have my team rip apart her life. I'll get the Swissair footage."

"No," Haylee stopped pacing. "Let her wear it. Let her climb as high as she wants. I want to break her when she thinks she's won."

"Understood," John said. "On another note, Walter Bowen's company is bleeding cash. They are desperate for investors."

Haylee let out a cold laugh. "Perfect timing."

They finalized the plan. Haylee hung up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the city.

Leo padded out of his room, wearing silk pajamas and dragging a large dinosaur plushie. He hugged her leg.

Haylee crouched down, picking him up. She carried him to the kitchen and warmed a glass of milk.

"You looked scary on the phone," Leo noted, sipping the milk. "Like a supervillain."

Haylee laughed, kissing his forehead. "Only to the bad guys, Leo. I promise."

After tucking Leo into bed, Haylee went to the study. She opened her laptop and pulled up the Chimera code, her fingers flying across the keys, building the weapon she would use to conquer Aethelred.

Hours later, she leaned back. Benedict's intense gray eyes flashed in her mind. She rubbed her temples, annoyed by the physical reaction her body had to him.

She opened the desk drawer and pulled out a thick manila envelope. Inside was the Severance of Adoption and Asset Division Agreement.

She picked up a pen and signed her name with aggressive, sharp strokes.

She tossed the envelope onto the entryway console. Tomorrow, the Bowen family was going to pay.